Past and present state teachers of the year weigh in on the most pressing issues in K-12 education, sharing their most promising insights from the classroom and seeding critical conversations about the future of teaching and learning.

February 26, 2018

When you teach in a predominantly White community, conversations about race can be uncomfortable, even in professional settings. While we may feel we are being polite or even respectful, the truth is that we White teachers often lack the courage to include race in critical conversations about student performance.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 7:23 PM|
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February 21, 2018

I had to situate this seemingly small act of bias in a larger socio-political context. It was my responsibility to acknowledge the impact of my action and make intentional efforts to provide a counter narrative not only for Mohamed, but to every child in my classroom.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 8:55 PM|
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September 06, 2017

As I have come to understand and teach social and emotional skills, I've learned they can't be—indeed, should not be—viewed as something separate from our lessons, or something to be taught one hour a week. These skills are part of everything we do.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 1:00 PM|
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August 28, 2017

Now isn't the time for reminders about materials and copying and pasting your district's tardy policy. Now is the time to let parents know what is most important to you as a teacher, what big goals you have for their students, and start forming the team that will get you there.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 11:53 AM|
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August 21, 2017

As educators, we recognize that cannot stand by and say nothing while acts of racism and hate are perpetrated against our citizens by our citizens. Each of us must decide whether or not we will be a bystander or a resistor, one who condones or one who resists.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 11:07 AM|
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July 11, 2017

Restorative Practices are flexible and responsive approaches to establishing, developing, and restoring relationships that enable people to develop a shared sense of community in an increasingly disconnected world.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 8:27 PM|
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June 01, 2017

Teachers are often told that we are "valued professionals" who "change the lives of our students every day." But we are also micromanaged to immobility, not trusted to make the simplest decisions that affect students' learning and well-being. When students have to work in classrooms in silence because the teacher knows that the loud and messy learning is often seen as ill-managed instruction, the walls close in.

Posted by Teacher-Leader Contributor from the National Network of State Teachers of the Year at 10:12 AM|
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